Invitation to Kārara Awards for industry environmental leadership

Five businesses from around Christchurch are being recognised for environmental leadership at an event on Friday morning (October 26) in Lincoln.

This is the first time Environment Canterbury has presented the awards, which celebrate industrial sites that have shown leadership in achieving best-practice on-site environmental management.

Paul Gofton, Environment Canterbury Team Leader - Implementation and Pollution Prevention, said it is important to recognise the effort of those who do the right thing.

“Every day the actions of businesses can impact on the environment. The industrial sector is just one part of the total pollution risk to our environment, but because many industrial materials have the potential to cause environmental damage, they have an important responsibility to help prevent pollution.

“Our team at Environment Canterbury has been working with industrial sites around Canterbury to help ensure they have the knowledge and tools to do the right thing.

“With the massive rebuild going on, Christchurch has been a particular focus for us. We have provided free education and advice to operators on sound environmental practice,” he said.

With thousands of houses being painted as part of the Christchurch rebuild, Environment Canterbury’s Pollution Prevention team has particularly focussed on paint disposal practices.

Environment Canterbury’s paint campaign has targeted all painters – whether professionals or DIY masters – and includes radio advertising, point-of-sale posters and pamphlets, and information on websites and Facebook.

Businesses are also being encouraged to develop waste management plans to assist employees of the correct disposal methods for all waste in order to mitigate their risk.

Environment Canterbury set up its Pollution Prevention Programme (PPP) six years ago to pro-actively engage with industrial sites throughout the Canterbury region.

Today there are more than 1,600 sites participating in the PPP, and this number continues to grow.

“The Pollution Prevention team has made significant progress in helping industry to improve environmental awareness and compliance.

“This has resulted in improved waterway health, reduced compliance costs, and an improved, more collaborative relationship with industry.

“We look forward to celebrating the contribution made by participants in the programme, and announcing the first recipients of the Kārara Award. The Award recipients have set a high standard for others to follow and we hope others will be compelled to follow their lead,” said Paul Gofton.

Event Information:

The awards will be held at the Lawrence Room at Agresearch, Corner of Springs Road and Gerald Street, Lincoln, on Friday 26 October from 10am to 11.30am.

If you would like to attend or cover the event please email media@ecan.govt.nz